SAB Empowers SA's truck drivers to lease and run businesses
The South African Breweries (SAB) has always recognised that supporting and upskilling entrepreneurs is crucial to create new opportunities for economic growth and development. Today, (29 October) through its owner-driver programme in collaboration with Wesbank and MAN trucks, SAB will be handing over six trucks to beneficiaries of this initiative.
The SAB owner-driver programme, through which truck drivers, previously employed by the organisation are contracted to transport its products, will see drivers lease and operate their own trucks to distribute SAB’s products from its various depots to retail outlets. The drivers employ their own staff, consultants, and crew, which speaks to organisation’s efforts to build tomorrow’s entrepreneurs, to help grow the South African economy.
“Owning and running an effective truck business needs a strong understanding and knowledge of company costs, attending to strict vehicle maintenance and quality controls and intensive preparation for the various expenses necessary to run a transport business like mine,” says truck recipient, Gift Sithole “Fortunately, the learnership programme I went through with SAB, prepared, and equipped me with logistics, financial and people skills to help manage and grow my business.” He adds.
Through this programme, SAB aims to empowers and equips entrepreneurs with vital business skills, access to finance geared to build and create sustainable businesses that grow their communities.
Sphe Vundla, Corporate Brand Director: “A thriving SMME sector, powered by entrepreneurship and partnerships is central to the growth of the economy. We believe that through innovating the alcohol supply chain with initiatives such as the owner-driver programme, SAB have and will continue to positively impact the lives of individuals and communities across the country.”
“Around 65% of our deliveries are done by owner-drivers, many of whom have gone on to own more than one truck. This programme has time and again, proven to be a winning recipe for all concerned: drivers are empowered, they create sustainable jobs for many others, and SAB gets its products to market. We are exceptionally proud of success stories like Gift’s.”
Thanks to its partners, Wesbank and MAN Trucks, SAB’s owner-driver programme plays a critical role in the entrepreneurship ecosystem exploring how both the private and public sector can effectively collaborate towards creating a thriving economy for SMMEs and entrepreneurs to grow, scale and thereby contribute towards job creation and ultimately growing the economy.
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